rife

adjective

ˈrīf 

1

: prevalent especially to an increasing degree

suspicion and cruelty were rife

—W. E. B. Du Bois

2

: abundant, common

3

: copiously supplied : abounding

—usually used with with

rife with rumors

rife adverb

rifely adverb

Did you know?

English is rife with words that have Germanic connections, many of which have been handed down to us from Old English. Rife is one of those words. Not a whole lot has changed with rife in its long history. We continue to use the word for negative things, especially those that are widespread or prevalent. Examples are "shoplifting was rife" or "the city was rife with greed and corruption." Rumors and speculation are also frequently described as "rife." But rife can also be appropriately used for good or neutral things. For example, you might speak of the summer garden being "rife" with scents.

Synonyms

• abounding
• abundant
• awash
• flush
• fraught
• lousy
• replete
• swarming
• teeming
• thick
• thronging

Examples of rife in a Sentence

Speculation about who would be fired ran rife for weeks.

a city government that is rife with malfeasance and corruption

Recent Examples on the Web

Stratford, traditionally viewed as a more affordable neighborhood, is located six miles northeast of central London, and development has been rife in recent years. —Sarah Rappaport, Fortune Europe, 18 Apr. 2024

This had already been rife after Kate took an extended step back from her royal duties following the unspecified surgery. —Alexander Smith, NBC News, 11 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ryfe, from Old English rȳfe; akin to Old Norse rīfr abundant

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rife

• rife with

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Kids Definition

rife

adjective

ˈrīf 

1

: widespread sense 1, prevalent

lands where famine is rife

2

: supplied in large amounts

the town was rife with rumors

rifely adverb